This qualitative study sought to analyze the meanings attributed to domestic violence against the elderly by professionals in Primary Healthcare. A total of 10 health professionals from different backgrounds from a renowned health unit for care of the elderly took part, and the data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Taking the Grounded Theory as a benchmark, the data were integrated and organized into categories, subcategories and elements of analysis. The results revealed the participants' expectation that the family acts as support and protection for the elderly and that domestic violence violates this principle. The significance of abuse of the elder was found to be grounded in the idea "of the frail and dependent elderly person," limiting the viewing of cases that do not fit this profile.